Riding lawn mower lift

Abstract

A lift and support structure is provided for a lawn tractor which includes a frame with a center lift member secured to and separating a pair of wheel support members. Ramps are secured to the wheel support members to permit the front or rear wheels of the lawn tractor to be rolled onto or off of the lift and support structure. The center lift member is elevated above the wheel support members to permit a floor jack or other lifting mechanisms to be placed under the lift and support structure. A pair of support legs may be locked in a raised position to support the lawn tractor for safe and easy access to the underneath side of the tractor, and may be pivoted or folded to the side when the lift and support structure is in a lowered position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of a prior filed, co-pending application Ser. No. 60 / 564,787, filed Apr. 23, 2004, entitled RIDING LAWN MOWER LIFT. (Docket 3668) FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to lifts and supports for lawn and garden tractors and, more particularly, to a structure for use in combination with a floor jack to lift the front wheels of a lawn or garden tractor and support the tractor in the raised position to allow safe access to the area under the mower deck. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Lawn and garden tractors are commonly used to mow grass. The lawn tractor has a mower deck which houses one or more mower blades. The area between the mower deck and blades often becomes caked with grass clippings, especially if the grass is mowed when the grass is wet. The grass clippings often form layers which harden as the mower is used. Eventually, the layers accumulate and consume the entire spa...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention presents an apparatus to aid in lifting and supporting the front end of a lawn tractor to allow a safe and relatively easy access to the area under the mower deck. The lifting and support apparatus includes a frame with a pair of spaced-apart ramps, a center lift structure and a pair of support legs which pivot between a lowered position and a locked lifted or raised position. The front wheels of the lawn tractor to be lifted are driven up the ramps secured to the frame and onto the frame. The lifting arm of a floor jack is then centered under the center lift structure. The jack may then be extended to lift the front end of the lawn tractor. Once the front end is raised, the support legs may be pivoted to the raised support position and locked in place with locking pins or spring locking pins. The area under the lawn tractor may now be safely accessed for cleaning, sharpening the blades, or general maintenance. Once the task is completed, the legs may be unlocked and pivoted back to the lowered position, and the jack lowered to lower the front end of the lawn tractor. The lawn tractor may then be driven off the ramps.

Problems solved by technology

The area between the mower deck and blades often becomes caked with grass clippings, especially if the grass is mowed when the grass is wet.

Eventually, the layers accumulate and consume the entire space between the mower deck and the blades.

Without this space, the mower becomes inefficient and eventually may quit cutting the grass entirely.

Additionally, this debris can damage the blades and strain the belts, engine and bearings.

This small clearance makes it difficult to clean the area under the mower deck.

The width of the mower deck provides additional challenges to reach all of the areas under the mower deck.

Because a typical lawn tractor weights 500 pounds to 1200 pounds or more, it is difficult to turn the lawn tractor on its side, especially for an individual, to access the area under the mower deck.

However, this often results in a situation in which the lawn tractor is inadequately supported, unstable and potentially dangerous or unsafe.

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